Malaysia to succeed through unity

Muslims condemn the disgusting acts of intolerance displayed by the reckless in Malaysia by parading with a bull's head and hatred for the other.
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2009/08/festivities-soured-by-race.html

Two more articles addressing the issues

Mike Ghouse
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Ong: We succeed through unity

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/1/nation/4627739&sec=nation

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has earned a reputation as a nation whose people are deeply respectful and concerned about one another.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said while other nations struggled with their diversity, Malaysians embraced their multi-racial and multi-cultural society.

“Our rights are defined by wider obligations, such as respecting each other’s choices and beliefs.

“The spirit of mutual concern and respect – not just mere tolerance – guarantees our freedom as enshrined in our Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara,” he said.

“This is the foundation of our Malaysian democracy and defines a Malaysia that is civilised and decent,” Ong said in his Merdeka message posted on his blog yesterday.

He added that a united and courageous MCA would be fearless in speaking out and acting for this interest and freedom.

“We will champion the rights of not only the Chinese community but those of all Malaysians. We are committed to the spirit of 1Malaysia.

“It is our belief that Barisan Nasional exemplifies this mission.”

Ong said a strong Barisan did not only champion 1Malaysia but it reflected the ethos of working together by treating each of its component party members as equals.

“Make no mistake. We may be passionate when we dissent – and sometimes fiery too – but it does not mean that we are disloyal.

“Barisan Nasional embraces pluralism of views. There are forces that pull us apart but we respond as one, pulling together and working for all Malaysians,” said Ong, who is also Transport Minister.

He said the common agenda for all Malaysians, such as maintaining jobs, fighting crime and creating educational opportunities, formed part of MCA’s three thrusts.

The thrusts are tackling the economy, being involved in mainstream policy-making and ensuring inter-ethnic harmony.

“This unity is the core of our success in many fields and should be harnessed. It is the key to becoming one people, one nation and 1Malaysia.”

Ong said that during Tun Tan Cheng Lock’s time, the spirit of Merdeka meant that the Chinese were no longer “passengers” but were in Malaysia to build their homes and the nation.

“Thence, Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, fought, built the economy and the country together,” he said, adding however that the nation still has room for improvement and efforts must continue amid the economic liberalisation.


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We must be seen to do the right thing —
Ong Tee Keat

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/breaking-views/36458-we-must-be-seen-to-do-the-right-thing--ong-tee-keat

AUG 31 — Malaysia has experienced a stormy year. However, we are a resilient people and have weathered the challenges well. The Barisan Nasional government, of which MCA is a key partner, manifests this quality by bravely steering our ship through the choppy waters. The two economic stimulus packages have shown its effects to counter the global economic gloom.

We are now in a stronger position in the face of a more stable global economy. Although still in a technical recession, results have shown that our economy has shrunk at a slower rate. Despite being tied to the global economic grid, unemployment rates are manageable and relatively low.

During these trying times, leaders should exercise prudence in carrying out the obligations entrusted upon them. The Malaysian people no longer accept what the government says in toto. As trustees of the people’s hopes and aspirations, we must not only do things in the right way but must be seen to be doing so.

MCA, and the government, must usher in a new era of values, with accountability and transparency being the cornerstones of our administration. Leakages, be they a trickle or gushing, as exemplified by Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) problems, will not be tolerated. We must always be mindful that at the end of the day, it is the people’s money that we have been entrusted with.

This is not the mission of Ong Tee Keat alone but by anyone or party that is committed to integrity and accountability for these are the keys to unlock the minds and hearts of Malaysians.

There is still room for improvement. We must think out of the box and look for new and innovative ways to do things to ensure that we turn the corner, and then grow and prosper.

But we should ask ourselves: are we ready to take on the challenges of moving in uncharted waters? Are we, as Malaysians, competitive enough? It is time we gradually do away with artificial "crutches" as we become stronger.

Tangible efforts must be put in following the liberalisation of the economy so that it achieves its objective. More competition can only mean a more competitive Malaysia.

One is to intensify efforts to attract the best Malaysian brains and professionals to contribute to nation-building, either by coming back to or staying put in Malaysia.

This brings me to the point of celebrating Merdeka and the unique force that compels us to, at the end of the day, come back to our own country — Malaysia.

We did not start with 1 Malaysia. Our forefathers came from difference places to seek better lives for themselves and their children. They yearned for freedom to choose the lives they want to lead.

This freedom was the motive behind the paradigm shift in the psyche of the Chinese, popularly championed by Sir Tun Tan Cheng Lock, from allegiance to China to allegiance to the then-Malaya. The spirit of Merdeka to them means Malaysian Chinese were no longer passengers in this country. We are here to build a nation, in our home here in Malaysia.

Malaysians from then onwards, regardless of race or religion, fought together, built the economy and the country together. We have earned a reputation as a nation deeply respectful and concerned about one another. Whilst other nations struggle with their diversity, we embrace it.

Fifty-two years later, we recount this very spirit of Merdeka and how we should further build a nation where the shared histories and shared hopes of all Malaysians help shape our common destiny as one nation.

We know that liberty that comes with independence isn’t about replacing white people with Malaysians of browner or darker shades in positions of power, or in the judiciary or the civil service. Neither is it about cosmetic changes, be it in our architecture or languages on the signages that adorn them.

Merdeka or liberty essentially guarantees the right of every single Malaysian to effectively choose their leaders and the freedom to choose the lives they aspire to live.

Our rights are defined by wider obligations such as respecting each other’s choices and beliefs. The spirit of mutual concern and respect — not just mere tolerance — guarantees our freedom as enshrined in our federal constitution and the Rukunegara. This is the foundation of our Malaysian democracy and defines a Malaysia that is civilised and decent.

A united and courageous MCA will be fearless in speaking out and acting for this equal interest and freedom. We will champion the rights not only for the Chinese community but for all Malaysians.

We are committed to this very spirit of 1 Malaysia. It is our belief that Barisan Nasional exemplifies this mission. A strong Barisan Nasional does not only champion 1 Malaysia but reflects that very ethos of working together by treating each and every one of its component party members as equals despite our differences in size, colour and shape.

Make no mistake. We may be passionate when we dissent — and sometimes fiery too — but it does not mean that we are disloyal. Barisan Nasional embraces pluralism of views.

There are forces that pull us apart but we respond as one, pulling together and working for all Malaysians.

Keeping our jobs, creating more opportunities for education, healthcare, fighting crime and upholding law and order, improving our environment, these are the common agenda of all Malaysians that forms part of MCA’s core three thrusts of tackling the economy, being involved in mainstream policy making and ensuring inter-ethnic harmony.

This unity is the core of our success in many fields and should be harnessed. It is the key to becoming one people, one nation and 1 Malaysia.

I wish all Malaysians, Selamat Hari Merdeka!

Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is MCA president and Transport Minister.

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